Arivu Thandral

Arivarasu Kalainesan, more commonly known as Arivu, is an Indian rapper, singer, songwriter and composer. He is best known for his independent singles, including "", and for his work on film numbers like "Vaathi Raid" from ''Master'' (2021), "Single Pasanga" from (2019), "" from (2021) and "Golden Sparrow" from Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam.

Early life

Arivu was born in Arakkonam, a town in Tamil Nadu, India, into a family rooted in education and social service. His early exposure to Tamil folk music, Ambedkarite songs, and Arivoli Iyakkam (literacy awareness campaign) songs played a vital role in shaping his musical and ideological outlook. Starting from his teenage years, Arivu developed a deep understanding of socio-political issues, which became one of the central themes in his music. At the age of 18, Arivu released his debut poetry collection titled "Kuninthi Varaverkum Kudisaigal" which dealt with a range of topics spanning from love to socio-political issues.

Career

Casteless Collective (2017-)

Arivu gained widespread recognition through his association with The Casteless Collective, a Chennai-based band that uses music to address caste oppression, inequality, and social reform. Formed by film director Pa. Ranjith in 2017, the collective consists of artists who challenge caste discrimination through a mix of Tamil folk traditions, rock, and rap.In 2017, Arivu auditioned and became a part of The Casteless Collective. Arivu rose to prominence as a songwriter and rapper through his work with the group, including "Jaibhim Anthem" and "Quota Song". Arivu's contributions to The Casteless Collective include songwriting and rapping, where he combines Tamil folklore with modern hip-hop beats to communicate powerful messages. As the prime songwriter for the band, Arivu gained recognition for his powerful lyricism and his ability to draw on multiple storytelling traditions to create a "potent fusion".

Therukural: Debut Album (2019)

In 2019, Arivu's debut album (Tamil: ''Voice of the Street'') was released. Songs such as "Anti-Indian" and "Kalla Mouni" were written to highlight political issues in India and "speak truth to power". ''Therukural'' received positive reviews and was featured in Rolling Stone India as one of the top ten Indian albums in 2019. "Anti-Indian" was described as a "politically conscious hip-hop song" by Rolling Stone India. His music has won him praise "from commoners and musicians alike" and he has been described as top of the list of people who can to "use the power of music to move the public".

In August 2021, ''Rolling Stone India'' called Arivu "the voice of socio-political hip-hop, smashing records and defying social norms", and featured him in its digital cover.

Breakthrough with Enjoy Enjaami (2021)

In 2021, Arivu achieved a career milestone with the release of Enjoy Enjaami, a Tamil single produced by the music label Maajja. Enjoy Enjaami broke the glass ceiling for Tamil independent music by garnering more than 500 million views in YouTube (as of November 2024). Collaborating with singer Dhee, Arivu wrote and performed verses that tell the story of Tamil landless laborers, colonial exploitation, and the community’s connection with nature. The song's unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements, combined with Arivu’s poignant verses, made it a viral hit on streaming platforms, with half a billion views globally. The success of Enjoy Enjaami brought Tamil independent music to the forefront and earned Arivu recognition as a dynamic new artist on the international stage. His contribution of fusing the traditional genre of Oppari with modern rap in his writing and delivery is seen as one of his authentic trademarks.

In Enjoy Enjaami, Arivu explores the complex history of his grandmother Valliyamma, an immigrant tea-plantation labourer from Sri Lanka. According to the lyricist, Arivu, the song was written as a celebration of his roots, harkening back to a time when humanity was a fledgling civilization, living in harmony with the turns of the earth and the many lives that shared it with them. Later, for the occasion of World Music Day, Enjoy Enjaami was remixed by DJ Snake for Spotify Singles.

Arivu & The ' Band (2022-)

Arivu also leads the 10-piece band , founded in 2022. The band draws on modern Western musical elements such as rapping and beatboxing

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